We stayed in fear for two days among the hungry people in Kitzby. On the third day at noon, the grain transport convoy that detoured from Sapp to meet at Kitzby just arrived in the city, which was a full day later than the agreed time. 77dus

"Felix, what's going on? Did something happen on the road?" Art asked, looking at Felix who looked unhappy.

Felix took off his heavy armor, sat down on a low stool in the room, and said angrily: "Forget it, it hasn't stopped since we entered Provence. From the time we came out of Sarpe until we approached the Provence border.

It's smooth, after all, most of the bandits have been wiped out now, but I didn't expect..."

As soon as the convoy led by Felix walked out of the mountains and entered the Provence border and headed east, it was entangled by castle owners along the way. The Provence court had ordered that the Burgundian merchants transporting grain south did not have to pay any taxes, and checkpoints at various checkpoints

The fortress must also be released. These lords will not blatantly disobey the palace's strict orders. However, although there is no starvation in the southern war zone, the northern lords also need food to feed their subjects or appease the refugees, so Sapp's food transport convoy is under attack all the way.

The feuding lords all wanted to intercept a batch of grain from Sapp's convoy.

"How did you get out of it?"

"How else can we get rid of it? Sap's food is always bought by people from the border just after leaving the mountainous area. We rarely carry food so far east. It used to be fine. This year, food in the southern continent has dropped sharply, and there is a shortage everywhere.

Everyone wants to take a bite of the grain. If I dare to give it away, these fifteen loads of grain will never reach Kitzby. So I flatly refuse them all."

"Aren't you afraid of offending the lords along the way?"

"What am I afraid of? Baron Galvin's name may not be useful in other places, but it is still somewhat useful in the central region of northern Provence. Every year, our grain trucks are continuously transported to all parts of northern Provence. They don't dare to

What about us? Besides, I also promised that after a period of time, I will ask Sapburg to transport some grain to sell to them."

Art praised Felix approvingly.

"Hey, who makes you my brother-in-law? I must do what you asked me to do. By the way, now that the convoy has arrived, how do you plan to bring such a large convoy to Aosta? I can't

I heard that the road from Kitzby to Aosta is not smooth. There are rebels, deserters, refugees and a large number of bandits. These guys will not let the fragrant bread slip away from their mouths."

Art already had his own plan, and he replied: "It is really dangerous for us to transport so much food by ourselves through the road infested by bandits and insurgents, so I plan to go to Baron Balian first and ask him to help us transport the food.

Moreover, the Provence court also needs the help of Baron Balian."

On the second day, Art placed the two grain transport convoys at the warehouse in Kitzby city. He took the sentries and Felix on horseback and ran towards Kalk Castle near Aosta.

The situation along the way was as expected. Just after leaving Kitzby and not walking very far, the bandits along the way had already reached the point of being unscrupulous. These guys who blocked the road and robbed were not the savages in the wilderness. Many of them were deserters.

and the young refugees led by the rebels. These people can find ways to feed themselves at any time.

However, no matter how powerful the bandits were, they still did not dare to attack the heavily armed cavalry team, so there were no dangers along the way. Art led a dozen cavalrymen to reach Kalk Castle in the northeast of Aosta City in less than two days.

When the group of people arrived at Kalk Castle in the dust, they almost passed by Balian, because Balian was about to lead the army to the Wilno war zone.

"Brother Art, I didn't expect that you have become a knight now. I should respectfully call you Sir Art now." Balian's inner knight led Art and his party into Kalk Castle.

"It's just a fluke. How is Baron Balian doing lately?" Art asked.

The inner knight who was leading the way stopped, turned around, looked at Art with a smile, and said, "Brother Art, I forgot to tell you just now that Lord Balian has been promoted to the rank of viscount for his military exploits and served as the commander of the First Army of the East.

Lead six hundred troops, including three hundred standing troops and three hundred levies). And you are very lucky. Lord Balian will lead the army to the Wilno theater this afternoon. Now our army is competing with the Lombard army for Wilno.

, we only withdrew from the north of Wilno at the end of June for repairs. A week ago the Lombards gathered a mercenary regiment and entered the hilly area north of Wilno. We must invest more troops to maintain the front line."

After that, the inner knight began to lead the way again, turning sideways and asking Art: "I heard from the soldiers guarding the city that you were transporting food to sell south. Where is your food? Didn't you come with us?"

Art replied: "It's because of this matter that I came to seek help from Balian, Viscount Balian..."

"Want me to send troops to escort the food convoy for you?"

Balian handed a silver goblet filled with wine to Art and said with a wry smile: "Brother Art, I admire you for being able to bring the food south personally. It's not that I'm unwilling to help you. As you can see,

My army is about to go to the war zone to fight the Lombards. I really don't have the energy and strength to protect the food for you. Please forgive me, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. If I can return from the war zone alive this time, you will come again.

If you come to me, I will definitely help you."

Art did not deploy "Eagle Eyes" in Provence, and the information he collected through the refugees fleeing north was limited, so he had no idea that Balian had been promoted to viscount and became the commander of a regular legion. The so-called "legion" in Art's name was just a self-proclaimed one.

).

After a brief thought, Art stood up holding the wine glass and said: "Lord Balian, you must send someone to protect this food convoy. After all, the food transported by the convoy is your guarantee for the next battle."

"Is it the guarantee of my battle? Did I hear it wrong?" Balian didn't believe his ears.

"You heard me right, this batch of food I transported is food for your army." Art replied.

Balian put down his wine glass and said, "Sir Art, I don't understand what you mean."

"Lord Balian, your legion will continue to fight south soon, right? As far as I know, the entire Provence country is now extremely short of food, let alone the war-torn areas in the south. Your legion has six hundred people, plus you

I still have more than 200 private soldiers, and these 800 mouths need a lot of food to support them. I guess the Provence court is also worried about food in the war zone. Otherwise, how could they unite with the Count of Burgundy to issue an order and give them permission to go south?

What about the exemption from various taxes for grain sellers?"

Balian did not answer after hearing Art's words, but looked at Art and motioned for him to continue.

Art also put the wine glass on the table and said seriously: "This time I brought thirty-four carriages of food, which is expected to provide your army with thirty-five thousand pounds of military food. The price of food in the southern theater of Provence has now

It has risen to two-thirds of a copper coin per pound, and in some places it is even as high as one copper coin per pound of grain. However, the grain I brought this time is only sold to you at the price of half a copper coin per pound, whether you are serving it as your own army.

You can make a lot of money by selling military rations or selling them to other people."

"And I have stockpiled 100,000 pounds of grain at the border. This stockpile can continue to increase. As long as I can ensure the safety of the grain transport convoy going south, I can continuously provide food supplies to you or the Eastern War Zone."

The conditions Art stated were enough to make anyone's heart flutter.

Balian was secretly surprised after hearing this, "It seems that you have become more than just a knight."

"Thirty-five thousand pounds of low-priced grain! Your bait is big enough. Tell me your conditions." Balian didn't want to beat around the bush with Art.

"There are only two things I need to ask for your help. First, it is impossible for my army to enter Provence without authorization, and the number of guards and combat capabilities of the caravan are limited. Since it is transporting food for you, you have to send someone

How about protecting the convoy from bandits and insurgents along the way?"

"If it's true as you said, I can send my lord's private soldiers stationed at Kalk Castle to Kitzby City to escort the food convoy. But you have to ensure that there will be a steady stream of food shipped from Burgundy.

Sell ​​it to me."

"Yes! I will buy you the grain at a price that is 20% lower than the market price in the war zone, and the quantity is guaranteed," Art replied.

"Tell me about your second condition. I think the second condition is the purpose of your trip south this time." Balian picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip.

"Yes, sir. My second request is that you can introduce me to the Palace Finance Minister and help me obtain a charter allowing me to operate southern goods in Provence." Art revealed his true purpose.

Balian had a question on his face, "Now that Provence is affected by the war, many trade routes have been cut off, do you still plan to come to Provence to do business? Besides, there is chaos everywhere, as long as you have enough courage, who will not let you

Doing business? Why do you need a charter?"

What Balian said is the truth. A country that is constantly at war is bound to suffer from business decline. Those guilds that usually monopolize various markets have long since disappeared. At this time, as long as there is the courage to lead caravans to do business in the war, no one will pay attention to it.

.

"Sir, you are right. If I just wanted to take advantage of the war and take risks to make a handful of coins, I would not need permission from the Provence court. But I believe that the war will eventually subside one day, because Provence has outstanding generals like you.

When the war stops, my unauthorized entry into Provence for business will become illegal."

After listening to this, Balian analyzed it quietly for a while, and then he realized that the little knight in front of him had a big plan in mind.

"Then what conditions do you have for the palace to

Grant you a license to deal in southern goods?"

"Grain, iron, leather, woolen goods and all the goods needed by the south. Especially grain. If the court of Provence grants me a concession of ten carriages of southern goods, I will provide a supply of grain for twenty carriages; if the court grants me five carriages of food,

With the concession of ten carriages, I will provide the grain supply for one hundred carriages, and the price is definitely lower than the market price in the war zone. Now that Provence’s grain production has dropped sharply, and the continuation of the war requires a large amount of grain supply, I think the palace has no reason to refuse to use it.

A charter is exchanged for a stable and large-quantity food supply channel."

"Do you think so?" Art gently touched the wine glass to Balian.

Balian came back to his senses and replied: "I have to think about the second thing, but I can promise you the first thing."

"Come here!" Balian shouted towards the door.

A follower opened the door and walked in.

"Instruct the commander of the Fort Kalk garrison to select fifty elite guards to follow Sir Art in my name to Kitzby to protect a batch of military rations." Balian ordered, and then turned to Art and said

: "Brother Art, I have to set off to assemble in Aosta City today. I will first send my lord's private soldiers to follow you north to transport food. After you transport the food to Aosta City, I will discuss the second step with you.

What are the conditions?"

Art bowed slightly, "Thank you for your help, as you wish."

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Chapter completed!